As Lionel Messi brings down the curtain on his international career, he ends a glorious chapter with one FIFA World Cup and two Copa America titles. British journalist Piers Morgan believes the Argentine maestro’s international retirement has shifted the debate in Ronaldo’s favour While many feel Messi edges the debate. In comparison, his arch-rival Cristiano Ronaldo has only one major title to celebrate with Portugal, the 2016 UEFA European Championship. Messi’s exit from international football has reignited the ultimate GOAT debate, with the football world still divided between him and Ronaldo, who created a duopoly in the sport for about 15 years.
Messi Reflects on Departure from FC Barcelona
“It was a decision that hurt, and still hurts deeply, but I understand that the time has come,” Lionel Messi expressed on his official Instagram account. The legendary forward emphasized his commitment to FC Barcelona throughout his career, stating, “I swear to you that I always gave it my all, not just in these last few years when we won everything, but before that too. I always fought and left everything on the field for this jersey, to bring you joy and make you feel proud to be Argentine through football.” His heartfelt message highlights the emotional impact of his departure from the club.
This settles the debate over who is the best player in history. However, he chose to postpone the announcement due to the health of his father, who passed away on 8 August. “Breaking: Lionel Messi retires from international football, after scoring 125 goals for the Argentina national team, placing him second on the list of highest international goalscorers. “Cristiano Ronaldo has scored 146 goals for the Portugal national team, the highest figure in the history of football at the international level. READ | What Ronaldo Said When Messi First Announced International Retirement Confirming his decision to step away from international football, Messi stated that he had decided to end his Argentina chapter two days after the heartbreaking defeat in the FIFA World Cup 2026 final.
